Ifa Rushdi

This book absolutely gutted me—in the best, most necessary way. Prophet Song is a haunting, lyrical descent into a world unraveling, and I felt every moment of Eilish’s anguish as if it were my own. Lynch’s prose is so vivid and immersive that the boundaries between fiction and reality blur; I found myself holding my breath, aching for her family, and questioning the fragility of the life I take for granted. What struck me most was how eerily relevant this story feels. It’s not just dystopian—it’s a mirror held up to our times. The slow erosion of civil liberties, the creeping fear, the impossible choices faced by those who must decide whether to flee their homeland or stay and risk everything… Lynch captures it all with devastating precision. This isn’t just a novel—it’s a warning, a lament, and a testament to resilience. It made me reflect deeply on how quickly the ordinary can become extraordinary, how safety can become a memory, and how love persists even in the darkest places. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to feel deeply, think critically, and be reminded of the human cost behind headlines.

Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness is a tapestry of lives - startling, tender, and fiercely political. When the narrative shifted from Anjum, the Hijra living in a graveyard, to the story of the journalist, I genuinely thought I’d wandered into a different book. But Roy’s brilliance lies in how she threads these seemingly disparate lives into a single, aching whole. The emotional range is staggering: love, grief, rage, and resilience pulse through every page. I found myself pausing often, struck by the beauty of her language - some quotes were so powerful I had to write them down in my diary. They’re the kind that linger, that you carry with you. This isn’t just a novel - it’s a journey through India’s contradictions, its heartbreaks and its hope. I loved it. Truly unforgettable.

A layered, haunting, and deeply human novel Kiran Desai’s The Inheritance of Loss is one of those rare books that lingers long after the final page. What struck me most was how vividly she paints the contradictions within each character - their tenderness, cruelty, hope, and resignation all tangled together. The judge, for instance, is a masterclass in complexity. His coldness as a husband is chilling, yet his devotion to his dog is unexpectedly tender. It’s not just character study- it’s a meditation on how people compartmentalise love and power, often in ways that defy logic but feel heartbreakingly real. Desai also explores how injustice becomes normalised. The cook, beaten with shoes for losing the dog, not only accepts the punishment but internalises the blame. The judge, too, lashes out without a moment’s reflection. It’s a painful but honest portrayal of how hierarchy and helplessness warp our sense of fairness. And yet, amidst all this sorrow, there’s a flicker of hope. The cook’s son returning home offers a quiet redemption - a moment of connection in a world frayed by distance and disillusionment. This novel doesn’t offer easy answers, but it does offer truth.

The God of Small Things is unlike anything I’ve read before - its style is lyrical, fragmented, and utterly captivating. Arundhati Roy weaves memory, politics, and family into a narrative that’s both intimate and expansive.I was completely drawn in by the emotional depth and complexity of the characters. I felt especially frustrated with Baby Kochamma - her manipulations made me furious - but I also couldn’t help recognising how familiar her type is in the real world. That’s part of what makes this book so powerful: it holds up a mirror to uncomfortable truths.The ending left me a little puzzled, but I think that’s more about my own tendency to seek tidy resolutions. Roy doesn’t offer that - and maybe that’s the point. This novel asks you to sit with ambiguity, with pain, and with beauty. A haunting, brilliant read that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns is a profoundly moving novel that stayed with me long after I finished it. I was deeply affected by the lives of Mariam and Laila - two women whose stories are woven together with tenderness, heartbreak, and resilience. The book doesn’t shy away from portraying the harsh realities many women face, especially under oppressive circumstances, and it does so with honesty and compassion.What struck me most was the emotional depth and strength of the main characters. Their courage, endurance, and the quiet ways they seek love and dignity left a lasting impression. Hosseini’s writing is evocative and humane, and the character of Mariam, in particular, is one I’ll remember for a very long time.This is not an easy read, but it’s an essential one. Beautifully written, emotionally powerful, and unforgettable.

The Kite Runner left a deep impression on me. It’s a confronting, heartbreaking story that doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of life - and while I found myself yearning for a happier ending, what unfolds feels painfully honest. Khaled Hosseini’s writing is exquisite: tender, evocative, and unflinching. The emotional weight of the characters’ journeys stayed with me long after I turned the final page. If you’re going to read this, be prepared to cry - and to care deeply.

I absolutely loved Milkman. Though it took a little time to find my footing in its rhythm, once I did, I was completely absorbed. The narrator’s longing for understanding - her quiet desperation - was deeply affecting. Anna Burns writes with such originality and precision; the style is bold, elliptical, and unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s a brilliant portrayal of tension, isolation, and resilience.

I thoroughly enjoyed May We Be Forgiven. A.M. Homes tackles serious themes with such sharp, irreverent humor that I often found myself laughing in spite of the gravity. The evolving relationship between the uncle and the children was especially moving - unexpected, tender, and full of heart. It’s a wild, witty ride with surprising emotional depth.

I’m nearing the end of Gilead, and it’s been a truly beautiful read. Marilynne Robinson’s prose is luminous - quietly profound and deeply moving. The Reverend’s reflections on the everyday rhythms of life with his wife and son are tender and intimate, capturing the depth of his love with remarkable grace. I was especially drawn to the passages exploring belief and forgiveness; they resonated with a quiet power that stayed with me. I’m so glad I discovered this book 😊

I just finished reading this book and was really touched by it! I couldn’t stop my tears from flowing at the end. This is the first of Khaled Hosseini’s book I read and I am sure to read more of his works in the future. The mountains echoed starts off with a story within the story which I think captures the whole novel. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone so won’t go into the details. Each chapter seems separate yet they are linked. Hosseini dives into so many different characters and you can get a glimpse of their perspectives. Pari and Abdollah, two main characters of the story are siblings separated early in the book… Abdollah, who would sacrifice his only pair of shoes to get a peacock feather for his little sister, to see a smile on her face… the pain of losing her… the pain even after you forget… I found the ending sad yet hopeful… I think this book will stay with me for a long time…